Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Seevee]

I'd argue the controller, which is not hard to change.
A sharp electrician could probably figure out how to reverse the wiring so down is up, and would verify the controller or motor. However, motor failure is unlikely, controller is more common.

 

[Seevee]

Question on Manuals,

I'm shopping for a Mercruiser manual for MY 280 Dancer, PN8M0086018, and perhaps the ECM manual PN 864573001.

Don't want the Soloy, have that and it's not particularly good, lacking stuff.

Does anyone know of a dealer that discounts these manuals a bit. They list for $90... brutal. That's my beer money for the whole day.....

 

[scooper321]

Question on Manuals,

I'm shopping for a Mercruiser manual for MY 280 Dancer, PN8M0086018, and perhaps the ECM manual PN 864573001.

Don't want the Soloy, have that and it's not particularly good, lacking stuff.

Does anyone know of a dealer that discounts these manuals a bit. They list for $90... brutal. That's my beer money for the whole day.....

Need more details about your engine in order to locate the manual. All you've given is the body style. But try here: http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html#

Also, $90 is one hour of a mechanic's time. How many hours will you save with that small investment?

 

[Seevee]

Need more details about your engine in order to locate the manual. All you've given is the body style. But try here: http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html#

Also, $90 is one hour of a mechanic's time. How many hours will you save with that small investment?

Scooper,

Thx their website is awful, will have to call them. Have the 2003 4.3 MPI.

True about the mechanics time, but doesn't mean we shouldn't shop price at times. If I paid full retail for everything, I'd not be in boating, prices would go out of site.

But still looking for a good Mercruiser dealer that has really good prices, and good inventory.

 

[scooper321]

Scooper,

Thx their website is awful, will have to call them. Have the 2003 4.3 MPI.

True. I don't know why there are these "e paper" readers and sites. Every thing should just be PDF's. But if you needed something easy to find, I thought that might help. You have to search for your manual (mine was #31... Lots of searching) which is a pain. I have a better site, I just couldn't find it easily. If I do, I'll share it.


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[Orion7_11]

So after a week of diagnosing and repairing... it appears 3 things happened all at the same time. On the starboard engine, the master solenoid went out on the starter, so I replaced the entire starter. The "hidden" breaker was popped on the windlass so that took care of that, and once the starter was replaced I went to take it for a test ride but 100 feet from the dock the engine died. The Check Engine light came on with two beeps every 60 seconds. I could restart the engine by giving it throttle but anything under 900rmp and it would die. So after researching some more I determined that the Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve went out on that same engine.

It was just crazy that all three of those literally happened at the same time. It almost seems like something electrical might have been the root cause but everything else is fine. I took the boat out this weekend, spent the night and had no issues.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to all of the members who have posted over the years because this forum has turned out to be an invaluable research and diagnosis tool!

 

[Gunn]

Well...as has happened to many others, the ball chain holding my gas cap on the boat popped out of it's holder and the cap sunk to the bottom. :smt089 I've tried fishing for it in a few feet of murky water, but no luck.

So, does anyone know where I can find a replacement cap that will fit? I tried searching, but couldn't come up with anything for the 280DA.

Tom

 

[Gunn]

Has anyone had to replace their Engine Coupler? On my 2003 280 I have this issue that I thought was a spun prop hub. After taking the prop off and taking it apart, we realized the prop isn't the issue. After googling I find some people having issues with their mercruiser Alpha 1 Engine couplers. This year has been a huge pain and a ton of money. Hoping I am missing something. When I go to plane off, the port side engine starts running away as if it is cavitating and I have to back down on it and go harder on the starboard. Sometimes while on plane and cruising the same thing happens. I seriously don't want to have to haul the engines again, as we had to replace the starboard engine twice this season already.

Hmmmm, did you get anywhere with this? I have had your symptoms happen to me. But the issue turned out to be that the sterndrive unit was moving upward, which causes the engine to rev and the boat to falter. I never was sure what caused the sterndrive to move upward; or maybe I didn't put it full down like I thought I did (the trim position gauges aren't very accurate nor have a fine resolution). Anyway, just a thought...

Tom

 

[Henry Boyd]

Well...as has happened to many others, the ball chain holding my gas cap on the boat popped out of it's holder and the cap sunk to the bottom. :smt089 I've tried fishing for it in a few feet of murky water, but no luck.

So, does anyone know where I can find a replacement cap that will fit? I tried searching, but couldn't come up with anything for the 280DA.

Tom

Tom,

The threaded portion is standard. I did the same thing, but was able to find the original. I bought a locking cap from West that at least closes the fill. At the time the dealer Russo Marine in Boston had one in stock. You might give them a call. Even though it has been a couple years I can't believe there is that much demand.

Henry


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[SAshton]

Canvas Question:
I have the slant top and I was closing it up near the door and zipping the opening and the zipper didn't stop at the end and is now in my hand. There's no zipper starter on this end and the top end seems to be stitched over so any ideas how I can get this back on or just drop at canvas shop?


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[Henry Boyd]

Canvas Question:
I have the slant top and I was closing it up near the door and zipping the opening and the zipper didn't stop at the end and is now in my hand. There's no zipper starter on this end and the top end seems to be stitched over so any ideas how I can get this back on or just drop at canvas shop?


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You can get a stopper part from canvas suppliers like Sailrite. It basically is a little clamp that you squeeze over the teeth of the zipper.

Henry


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[SAshton]

I can't get zipper back on is my issue. It won't go back on the end and the starter side is covered up with another zipper so might have to take it to a shop.


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[Mark411]

Question about the fresh water system.

New owner here, first boat I've ever owned. 280DA 2004 model - just purchased in July. The previous owner seems to have taken pretty good care of this boat, but I still have a lot to learn. One thing I've noticed is black particulate matter in the fresh water. It is evident in water at any sink, the head and also from the the swim platform shower nozzle.

I'm not sure what this is - whether it is bacterial growth or residue from something in the internal plumbing or fresh water tank or pressurization pump. Any suggestions? Is there a treatment I should use to make sure I don't have a problem with bacterial growth (and to eradicate it?)

Obviously I haven't allowed anyone to drink water from the system, but until I can get it straightened out, I am reluctant to use it for anything (other than flushing the head).

Suggestions?

 

[Woody]

Question about the fresh water system.

New owner here, first boat I've ever owned. 280DA 2004 model - just purchased in July. The previous owner seems to have taken pretty good care of this boat, but I still have a lot to learn. One thing I've noticed is black particulate matter in the fresh water. It is evident in water at any sink, the head and also from the the swim platform shower nozzle.

I'm not sure what this is - whether it is bacterial growth or residue from something in the internal plumbing or fresh water tank or pressurization pump. Any suggestions? Is there a treatment I should use to make sure I don't have a problem with bacterial growth (and to eradicate it?)

Obviously I haven't allowed anyone to drink water from the system, but until I can get it straightened out, I am reluctant to use it for anything (other than flushing the head).

Suggestions?

Given you don't know what care the water system received from previous owner you should sanitize your system. I'd suggest filling the tank with water then run it dry, make sure you run water through all faucets, hot water heater, and head, both hot and cold sides. You'll be trying to flush out any loose particles that are floating around in the system.

After that put a half cup of household bleach in the tank and fill with water, run enough treated water through all faucets, toilet, hot water heater until you smell the bleach. Let it sit for 24 hours, than pump it dry by running water through all the outlets in the previous sentence. Fill with freshwater and see what you get, you may have to repeat.

 

[cp_71]

duplicate

 

[cp_71]

I also have an issue with my Windlass, it only operates in the down position, I have to manually pull it back up??? Any Ideas

Check the switches by reversing the connectors on the control box under the anchor locker hatch.

 

[cp_71]

Is there a setting on the SmartCraft gauges that will show engine rpm synchronization? If so, how can I set that up?

Scroll through the Smartcraft screens on the Speedometer,not the Tachs. You'll find the synch monitor there

 

[cp_71]

Not likely, probably a switch or motor. A good electrician could troubleshoot. Been shopping for a good light.

If somebody tried to move the light by hand they likely damaged the fragile clutch mechanism.

 

[MichaelRaasch]

I have 2005 280 with twin 5.0's. I can only get 3 quarts of oil out of each engine when changing the oil. I'm using a dipstick style hand pump while the boat is on the water in the boat slip. Doesn't seem normal to me but wanted to check with others.

 

[Chrisvr6]

Seatrialed a 2002 280 with 5.0s and b3s and noticed some resonating through the whole boat at certain rpms while underway. Is this normal? Have only driven a vdrive boat before and thought that was more exclusive to those.